When Rachelle Cashato found out the On the Farm Market on Mamquam Road had closed this past summer and wouldn’t again be the location of a Christmas-themed market this festive season, the North Vancouver resident decided to take matters into her own hands.
“I’ve been looking at relocating to Squamish,” said Cashato, who owns The Granville Island Hat Shop, and The Hastings Hattery in downtown Vancouver. “A good friend of mine lives in Squamish, and she told me all about Natalie and about her closing On The Farm Market. It just strikes me as such an amazing and neat space. It is just a shame for it to just be sitting there.”
So Cashato leaped into action and began organizing Christmas at The Farm Market for the weekend of Dec. 5 and 6.
“I just thought it would be a great way to get people involved and get the community together during the holiday season,” she said.
The weekend market is set to showcase a plethora of local artists and artisans with a selection of arts and crafts perfect for Christmas gifts, plus live music, pony rides and pictures with Santa. Cashato is also going to be setting up a bit of a “portable” hattery to highlight the work she does in her two shops.
“Our shops don’t just sell hats, they are full studios,” she said. “So we will be giving some demos on what we do and how to block hats. People will be able to see lots of local artisans in action and get to know what is available in the community. There are so many people in Squamish who do such amazing things.”
Cashato said the event will also feature family-friendly crafts and face painting for kids as well.
“I’m very passionate about supporting the community,” she said of Squamish, her future home. “And I hope people come out to see what everyone has to offer.”
Vendor stalls are still available, and interested merchants can go to squamishchristmasmarket.com to apply for a spot. Christmas at the Farm Market runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6.
